Adjusting and tightening device for tire chains



7, 1935. J. R. REYBURN 2,012,404

ADJUSTING AND TIGHTENING DEVICE FOR TIRE CHAINS Filed Aug. 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. do/m/ A. rau/m/ 6 m 27, 135. J, R E N 2,@12,4l-@4 ADJUSTING AND TIGHTENING DEVICE FOR TIRE CHAINS Filed Aug. 15, .1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

YBURN Patented Aug, 27, 1935 PATENT OFFICE,

ADJUSTING AND TIGH'RENING DEVICE FOR TIRE CHAINS John R Reyburn, Fairfield, Conn, assignor to American Chain Company, 1110., a corporation of New York -Application August 15,

22 Claims.

The present application is a continuation in part, of my copen-ding application, Serial No. 503,187, filed December 18, 1930, which application was allowed November 30, 1932.

The invention relates to anti-skid chains for automobile tires, and more specifically to de-, vices for adjusting tire chains automatically upon the tires and maintaining them in uniformly draped, snugly fitting position thereon after their initial emplacement by the user.

The average user of a tire chain usually places the chainuponthe tire rather loosely, whether from lack of the skill necessary to accomplish a proper fitting of the chain, or from haste, or

i carelessness, or ignorance as to the desirability of having the chain uniformly draped, in order to secure its maximum efficiency in operation. By uniform draping of a tire chain its period of usefulness may be tripled, for a loose chain will break after relatively shortuse with the car running at a given speed, as compared with the performance of a uniformly draped chain.

Even when using more than average skill, moreover, it is difficult to accomplish the draping with a desirable degree of uniformity, by a single manual operation, and accordingly, to avoid repeated manual adjusting operations, use is made commonly of adjusting devices acting automatically to draw the tire chain taut upon the tire.

Conventional chain adjusting devices, of the type which depend upon the tension of a spring or springs to take up the slack of the chain, permit slack to occur under the centrifugal force which develops at speeds upwards of 25 miles per hour, and at 30 miles an hour the spring effect completely disappears so far asany useful purpose is served.

If the springs be very strong, they tend to make the chains bite into the tire, andso prevent the creeping' which is an essential characteristic of aproperly fitted tire chain. 4 Various forms of devices have been proposed for taking upthe slack of tire chains by means of a spring, or springs, and for holding the draped chain positively to prevent further deyelopment of slack, but such devices have failed to come into general use, because of undue complexity or expense, or on account of their unreliability in service, or lack of a sufiicient degree of sensitiveness in action.

Thegeneral objectof the present invention is to provide a tire chain with an adjusting device or system of ,devices which. may, and preferably will, form an element of the tire chain and which will act automatically, immediately upon; the

1933, Serial No. 685,214

start of thecar, to take up the slack and drape the tire chain uniformly upon the tire before the car reaches a speed of say forty miles an hour, and will thereafter maintain the tire chain in such snug position as to obtain effective service of the tire chain for its maximum mileage, Whatever the speed of the car.

Among more particular objects of the invention is the provision of an automatically acting device or system of such devices which operates to take up the slack insuccessive step-by-step operations acting in the same direction, each device being so constructed as to prevent positively any retrograde movements of the parts in the opposite direction, the aggregate tightening effect extending over a range of several inches; also the provision of a devicefof what may be termed the one-way adjuster type whichiwill take the place of the conventional connecting hook for connecting the ends of a side chairuin a tire chain, and will preferably not cause relative displacement of the cross-chains relatively to each other, except only the two cross-chains adjacent to the respective ends of theside chain, Still another object of the invention is to pro vide a device of this type with means adapted to prevent escape, from the adjuster, of the connected link at the free end of a side chain in case the slack occurring in the ,tire chain so equipped happens to exceed the adjustive range of the device.

Another object is to provide an adjusting device of a sturdy but simple and inexpensive construction, having few operating parts, and in which a single coil spring acts on. a pair of relatively sliding members, tending to draw the ends of a side chain toward each other and moving the cross-chains thereto attached into uniformly draped operative position upon the tire, and the structure of the co-operative sliding members be-- ing such that their tending to move toward each other, by virtue of the strains exerted by the connected cross chains and side chains, serves to maintain these parts in proper engagement for effective resistance to slackening action of the chain under the action of centrifugal force.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an adjusting device with a take-up range of about six inches, and so constructed that during the first two inches of the take-up the spring acts under its maximum compression or tension, as the case may be, toreduce the slack very rapidly, and then acts, step by step, under lower compression or tension to take up more gradually the remaining slack and eifectthe uniform draping of the chain, after which the device A still further object is to provide an adjusting device which forms, virtually, a part of a side chain and to whicha pair of the cross-chains are attached, the device being so constructed that said cross-chains may be of the same length as the rest of the cross-chains of the tire chain.

' With these and other objects in view which will appear hereinafter I shall now describe several embodiments of my invention and thereafter the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a view in elevation of part of an automobile wheel and tire equipped with a tire chain provided with an adjusting device constituting one embodiment of my invention;

' Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1, and connected portions of the side chain, shown separately from the tire;

' Fig. 3 is a view in perspective, on a larger scale, of one'of the sliding members, and an end part, ready forassembly;

Fig. 4 is a View in perspective of the other sliding member, and its end part and rivet, ready for assembly;

Fig; 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1, on a larger scale;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. l, on a larger scale;

, Fig. '7 is a view of a modification of the adju'sting device shown in Fig. 1, with connected portions of the side chain and cross-chains;

8 is a similar view of another modification;

'Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing another modified form of adjusting device forming part of the side chain;

I Fig. 10' is an assembly view of the aforesaid modification of which Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 are views in detail of the different component parts;

Fig. 15 is an assembly view of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15; r Fig. 17 is a view in side elevation of still another embodiment with portions thereof broken away;.and'

Fig. 18 is a view in section taken on the line 18-48 of Fig. 17. p

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the parts designated by the reference characters H and i2 respectively are elongated members constituting a pair assembled in parallel sliding relation to each other :a'n'dwhich may be of any suitable material, length and construction to accomplish the purpose of the invention, being preferably of a suitable length to "provide forarange of adjustment amounting to 65 of a radius corresponding aproximately to that several inches, and preferably arcuate in form,

of one of the side chains of a tire chain, such as that shown at 13 in Fig. 1, the latter being of conventional or other suitable form, as illustrated, it being understood that there is a similar side chain at the other side of the tire, the two side chains being connected by anti-skid cross chains I4 of any suitable number, connecting the side chains at suitable intervals, extending across the periphery of the tire l5, as usual in saidtire chains.

A coil spring i6 surrounds one member of the pair, and part of the other member, bearing at one end against an abutment i! upon the member H and at its other end against an abutment i8 upon the sliding member l2. The spring is suitably coiled to adapt it for compression between the abutments when the members H and [2 are extended relatively to each other, the spring thus compressed tending normally to urge the members i i and 52 into a coextensive or contracted position relatively to each other. The member i i is provided at its end [9 with means adapting it to be connected with one end 20 of the side chain It, such connection being illustrated as taking the form of an eye engaged with a link near the end of the side chain. While it is desirable for certain purposes, to be described more at length, that one of the members H or l2 shall be connected permanently with one end of the side chain, for convenience in transportation, it will be understood that it is within the spirit of the invention to form the eye as an open hook, if desired. Similarly, it is understood that while it is desirable to provide the other member with an open hook, as indicated at 2!, to permit the same to be engaged removably with a selected link near the other end 22' of the side chain l3, it is likewise within the spirit of the invention to establish a permanent connection with that end of the side chain by forming an eye in place of the hook 2i When formed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, the adjusting and tightening device constitutes a permanent part of the tire chain and may be sold as a unitary structure therewith, and when in place upon the tire will serve to tighten the chain thereupon.

In further pursuance of the invention means are provided to prevent positively any relative extension of the members, and consequent slackening of the tire chain in use, such means being adapted to .act progressively at frequent intervals along the range of coextensive relative movements between the members I! and I2.

As the preferred form of such means, the drawings show the sliding member H! as U-shaped in cross-section, and provided with a series of teeth 24, along the upper surface of the member, with intervening notches between the teeth and an auxiliary squared notch near one end of the member l2.

The member ii is shown as having its abutment i 'l formed as a separate part, provided with an aperture 26, the upper wall of this aperture being formed with a tooth 21 in position to enter the channel of member [2, while the adjacent wall portions are adapted to be engaged with the serrated upper edge 24 of the member l2, the form of the teeth permitting the part I! to ride over the teeth of the'cooperating member as the latter is moved progressively into the co-extensive or contracted position of the members by action of the coiled spring, but opposing movement of the part ll in the reverse direction, the purpose of this arrangement being to prevent any retrograde movement in the nature of an extension of the members. H and i2 relatively to each other. Accordingly, when the device is. in place upon a tire, the spring acts to take up progressively the slack of the side chain, and the teeth act successively to prevent any slackening of the chain thereafter.

The purpose of the squared notch 25 is to make it possible for an operator, in connecting up the chain, upon emplacementthereof on a tire, to set the members l l andl? in the'relativeposition shown in "Fig! 7, with" the members' in fully ex-- tended position, theipart n beingengaged with the squared notch 25. The ope'rator willthen havea hand-freeto grasp the freeeii'd of the side chain and hookup the same upon the hook 21 at the end ofthe sliding member"IZQRandthenby thegmember H as illustrated, extending' dowm wardly so that when it rests" against the member H, the hook will be closed'andwill prevent escape of the link "22 at the free end of 'theside chain. Accordingly if allthe slackof the chain has not been taken up'by the adjustive movement, the side chain will nevertheless be prevented from escaping from thedevice." f

In the form illustrated, the hook 2l isforined on a separate part adapted tobe insertedjwithin an aperture 28 providedin the bottom of. the sliding member-12, the hookpart'having a notch 29 to receive the. rearjwall '30 of this bottom aperture and having also a hole 3| to receive a rivet 3 2 which passes alsothrough holes'33 in the sid'e walls of slide 12 and fastens the hook member}! I f rr nly in place, as shown'in Fig. 1. i In pursuance of a further objector the inven-. tion, the members of the device are so interconnected withfthe sidechain and citoss chains that the stresses exerted normally by the, various chains when in use, tend constantly to urge the members II and l2'into locking position, and ,to maintain their interlockedrelation, and for this purpose, it is preferred to connect themeinber ll wtih two neighboringcross-chains M and {4P 1 at one end of the seriestherof, inthe manner illustrated, the actionv of these chains tending to holdtheemember I I against radial movement in; wardlytoward the hubuof the wheel, while the action of the side chain 13 upon theends ofithe members and I2 is to draw the latterinward toward the hub, thus tending to tilt the-members II and i2 relatively to eachother, and insuring engagement of the part i1- witli thatone of. the series ofcooperating teeth zi op posite which it may beat the time. By this arrangement ofparts and interconnection of the various-instr1nnen talities, it is possible to dispense with any springs other than the coiled spring l6, and it will be seen that the only work which the latter has to perform is to take up the slack of the chain, this spring not being relied-upon to, counteract centrifugal force,which is opposed effectively by the positive actionof the cooperating teeth upon the members. This :mode of operation makes it .pos sible to provide for rapid and sure lockingaction of the members in-their successiveinterlocking positions, and toavoid any binding action between the parts. 1 For the same purpose, the abutment part 18, bestcshownxin Fig. 4, :is preferably formed as shown, with *a notched portion 35'which rides smoothly on the portion of the member"! I, and with lugs 31 which constitute the abutment proper {Iorthe spring-|6l j It willbe apparent thatthe device may be readily disengaged manually by a simple movement pressing the free end-of the slide 1 2 down to clear the teeththereon from engagement with the-locking member l1, after which the device may be brought forward to an extended position, similar to that shown in Fig. '7, or sufficiently far to permit the end link 22 at the free end of the ohain l3 to be disengaged from the hook 2!. I

" The parts 36 and 38 may be connected together by any suitable means, and in the form illustrated inFigs. 1 to 6 they are formed integrally with a connecting portion or web '39 which is provided withan'eye at i 9 to receive the link 2c of the side chain, and'with a slot 4a! to receive the connectinghook 4t of the cross-chain M Atthe other end of the part 36,21, similar web 42 isprovided with a slot 43 to receive the connecting hook M of the cross chain M and the ends are suitably shaped to be riveted firmly in holes 41 in the abutment part ll.

' The modification shown in Fig. '7 comprises certain elements which are similar to similarly numbered parts shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and which need not be described again, but the members I I and 36 are formed separately, for the sake of ease in manufacture, and are provided with extensions 48 and' ls, connected by an end piece 50,

into'which they are riveted as indicated, this modification affording a longer range of adjustment which may be desirable in some installatio-ns.-

The form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, however, affords means to take up about three and one-half to four inches of slack in the side chain, or approximately the length of two side chain links, which is'sufncient ordinarily.

In the modification, shown in Fig. 8, an integral connecting portion 39 is provided with an eye" id to receive the end link 26 of the side chainj-and a web is provided with a slot 52 to receive the connecting hock 4! of one of the cross chainsQthis web being of a shape adapted to impart rigidity to the structure. Such a stiffening effect is desirable when the side chain is attached to the extreme left hand end of the device, to counteract the bending moment which is developed as a result of such an attachment. V

In the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 7, where the side chain is connected close to one of the crosschains, no such bending moment develops.-

Any of thedevices above described may be provided on the outside side chain only, and will operate satisfactorily, it being sufiicient to provide the inner side chain, on the other side of the tire, with a plain connecting hook of any suitableconventional type.

Thestrhctures shown in the above described figures are all sturdy, simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and reliable in operation.

By connecting two of the cross chains, i l and W, to the adjusting device, these cross chains occupy a fixed position relatively to the next cross-chain toward the left, when the device is permanently connected at the left end to the corresponding end of the side chain, and the only change'in relative position between any of the cross-chains will take place between the crosschain M and the next cross chain to the right, viz. the cross-chain which is connected to the free end of the side chain. This conforms to existing practice in the construction of tire chains, and is of advantage both with respect to uniformity'in the adjustment and operation of the cross-chainaandin the'appearance presented by the adjusted tire chain.

In each-'of'theabove-forms of the device provision may be made of a thumb piece 55 such as that shown in Fig. 1, which affords a ready means for engagement of thumb or finger of the operator in extending the device at the time of applying the same to the tire; or a suitable thumbpiece may be provided elsewhere, as that shown at 55 in connection with the end-piece 50 in Fig. 7.

It will be observed that, in the case of the forms of Figs. 1-8, one of the sliding members, namely that numbered I2, is connected with the other in such manner that it may operate after the fashion of a cantilever with one point of support against the upper wall of the aperture 26 of the abutment I1 and the other against the part 36 of the member H. The latter point of support obviously varies in position along the part 36 in accordance with the degree of extension of the slide 12 and the part 36 of the member H. The member I! is virtually anchored by the cross chain M and that end of the side chain which terminates in the link 20. The line of tension of that end of the side chain which terminates in the link 22 is, when the device is in use, in such a direction as tocause the slide l2 to bear against the upper wall of the aperture 26 in the abutment ll and against the part 36 of the member I I, thus bringing the cantilever action into play. The effect of this action is to maintain an interlocking engagement of the teeth 24 with the abutment I1 thereby preventing extension of the device and consequent development of slack in the side and cross-chains.

Thus far, several arcuate forms of embodiment of the invention have been illustrated which are particularly useful in application to a side chain of the tire chain, but it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in various rectilinear forms of devices which may be applied not only to side chains, but also to other portions of the tire chain structure, with notable advantages in operation over existing devices for adjusting tire chains.

Several such devices are illustrated in the drawings.

In Fig. 9 an adjusting device is shownwhich comprises relatively sliding straight members BI and 62 which operate in substantially the same manner as the arcuate sliding members I l and I2 hereinbefore described, the member 6| having at 33 a connecting or web portion provided at 64 with an eye to which is attached the end link 20 01 a side chain like that already described and having at 65 a slot to receive the connecting hook M of the cross-chain M The other end of this member has at 66 a web provided with a slot 61 to receive the connecting hook 44 of a cross-chain M The member 62 is provided with a hook 58 to receive an end link 22 at the other end of the side chain l3. The coil spring 69 similar to the spring It already described surrounds the member 62 and the portion 15 of the member 6|, being held under compression between the flange or abutment portion 1! of the member 62 and an abutment part 12 whichis riveted upon the memher 6 5, closing the slot '13 Within-which the spring is placed.

In pursuance of the invention, means are provided for locking the sliding members 6] and 62 together as each of the step-by-step movements is completed in taking up the slack, so that retrograde sliding movement of the members is prevented and no further development of slack can occur. V

The means shown for this purpose in the structure illustrated in Figs. 9m 14 inclusive differs from that already described with respect to the device shown in Figs. 1 tot, in the respect that the locking device is placedat the inner end of the member 62 and is combined with the abutment part 1| against which the spring 69-bears as already described. I

The part II is apertured at 14 (see Fig. 11) to afford a loose sliding fit upon the leg 15 of the member BI, andis notched at 16 to receive the upper edge ll) of the lower leg of the member 6|, to afford a guiding bearing therebetween.

It is also provided with a portion 17 bent forward at approximately right angles to its abutment portion H, to form the detent or pawl already mentioned, the free end 18 being bent downwardly to engage with the upper edge 19 of the leg 15 of member 6| which isserrated. suitabhr, as indicated, and the spring 69 tends to rock the part II on the leg 15 and thereby to bias the detent into yielding engagement with the teeth 19. f

The body portion of the pawl is suitably apertured to receive a hook 8| (see-Fig. 14) formed upon the adjacent end of the, sliding member 62, so that this pawl device, which also comprises the abutment II for the spring, is connected to the sliding member 62 and acts to draw the member 62 toward the left under the expanding action of the spring 69, and when the member 62 is pulled outwardly by the operator, for extension of the device at the time of applying the end link 22 of the side chain to the hook 68, the member 62 draws the abutment H with it and places the spring 69 under compression.

After the link 22 has been applied to the hook 68 and the operator hasrele-ased the member 62, the spring 69 expands and the part 62 is forced toward the left by the spring 69, drawing with it the side chain and taking up rapidly the greater part of the slack, the spring vI59 being under maximum compression when the abutment H has been drawn to its extreme right hand position.

As the spring continues to expand, and the member H moves toward the left, the detent 18 is engaged successively with the teeth .19 which prevent any retrograde movement until all the slack has been taken up, or the detent 78 has reached the position shown in Fig. 10, and the hook 68 bears against the other abutment 12, by which it is closed, and escape of the link 22 is prevented, even though no tension be exerted on the side chain, in the event that the range of take-up action by the device has been insufficient to take up all the slack.

With a device of suitable proportions for the service to be'performed, its'range of take-up will rarely be exceeded, and the tension exerted on the side chain by the spring 69 will normally be suflicient to prevent escape of the link 22 from hook 69 when they have been initially connected by the operator applying the tire chain' to the tire.

It will be understood that prior to extending the device for such application, the detent 18 must be raised above the level or the teeth 19, and this can be done by any suitable instrument available to the operator, as for example by a screw driver, or the member." may be provided with a suitable projection or projections, as indicated at 82, to be grasped by the operator for releasing the detent and for moving the part II and member 62 toward the right. This may be done by his left hand, while he grasps the link 22 with his right hand and places it upon hook 68.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, the member 6| is shown as identical with that just described, bearing the same reference characters, but the cooperating sliding member 83 difiers from the sliding member 62 in that it is of inverted U- shape in cross-section, for the sake of additional rigidity,; and is provided at its lefthand end with-an integral bent-over portion 84 which servesas the abutment for the spring 69.

It .is also provided with an integral spring tongue or detent85, stamped out of its upper wall and extending down into the channel in position to be engaged with the teeth I9.

The operation of thismodified form of adjust.- ing device is so similar to that of the form just described that further description is unnecessary, but it will be noted that the hook 86 at the outer rightehand end of the member 83 extends upwardly, and that the abutment 81 which is riveted to the member 6| connecting the legs thereof and closing. the slot at the right-hand end, is formed with an upwardly and outwardly curved finger 88 which is engaged by the hook 86 when the members! and 83 are in their coextensive position shown, preventing escape of the link 22, substantially in the manner already described. It is to be understood that where parts are described as riveted together they may be welded together or otherwise suitably secured together.

The word coextensive as used throughout .the specification and claims is intended to designate any contracted or non-extended relative position of the sliding members in which they lie side-by-side, even though their ends are not in perfect registry with each other.

The adjusting and tightening device illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 is of arcuate form and in this respect may be classed with the structures shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive. It comprises a pair of arcuate members 90 and 9| assembled in parallel. sliding relation, with a spring 92 urging them toward coextensive relation. The member 99 is of tubular form and is adapted to telescope over the member 9|. The tube 90 is preferably closed at one end by a wall 93. Adjacent the op,- posite end of the tube there is a transverse diaphragm 94 formed with an opening 84* therein through which the body of the member 9| slides. This diaphragm is inclined from normal to the axis of the tubular member with its upper side outermost, and it-has a lug95 which projects through a slot 96 in the lower side of the tubular member.

The diaphragm 94 is supported in its inclined position by a portion of an attachment member, as will now be explained. The attachment member isstamped out of sheet metal and is bent to form two mutually spaced bands 91 and .98 with a depending tab portion 99 formed of the two ends of the band. One of the bands 91 snugly embraces the tube, while the other band 98 fits snugly within the tube and is slanted along its inner edge to provide an inclined abutment for the diaphragm 94. The tab parts which connect with the band 98 pass through the slot 96 and bear edgewise against the lug 95. The end of the tube is crimped over the outer edge of the band 98. In this way not only is the attachment device secured firmly to'the tube but the diaphragm is also fixed within the tube because its diameter is toogreat to permit it to swing inwardly on the lugs as a fulcrum and thering 98 supports it band IIl'I -which'fits within the tube and a larger band I02 which fits about the outside of the tube and these two bands are integrally connected with a depending tab I93. The portions oithe tab which connect with the band it I pass through a slot in the lower side of the tube and afterthe wall 93 has been fitted againstthe outer edge of the band IQI, the adjacent endof the tubeis crimped over the wall 93 thereby clamping the attachment device in place.

The slide SI is very similar in form to the slide I2 shown in Fig. 4. It consists of an arcuate member of U-shape in cross-sectiomvvith teeth I95 formed along the upper edge of its two side walls. These teeth like the teeth 24 of the member i2 are inclined toward the outer end of said member and they are adapted to engage the upper edge of the opening 94 in the diaphragm 94. At the inner end of the slide 9i there is a head adapted to slide freely but fairly closely in the tube. This head may be formed by extending the side walls of the slide upwardly as indicated at I96 and extending the bottom wall downwardly as indicated at I91.

Secured to the outer end of the slide 9| is a cross-head providing an upstanding hook portion I98 facing outwardly and a depending hook portion I99 facing inwardly. The spring 92 is detachably connected at one end to the hook I 08 while its opposite end is secured'to an anchorage III} welded or otherwise secured to the tube 90.

The hook I99, like the hook 2|, serves for attachment thereto of an end link 22 of the tire chain I3. The opposite end link 29 of the tire chain is passed through a slot H2 in the tab H3. This slot is of sufiicient length to provide also for attachment of a connecting hook M of the crosschain I l The tab 99 is also provided withaslot I I3 to engage the connecting hook 44 of the crosschain I4 It will be observed that this tightening device differs from those previously described'in the fact the spring is extended and caught over the hook I98. The spring will urge the slide 9| inwardly and the teeth I95 engaging the upper edgev of the opening 94 will prevent outwardextension of the slide 9|. 'By reason of the pull of the spring 92 on the hook I98 and of the pull. of the side chain on the hook I99 there will be a tendency to tilt the slide 9| on the head I01 as a fulcrum. This will urge the teeth I95 into engagement with the abutment or upper edge of the opening 94 However, the teeth may be disengaged from said abutment by depressing the outer endpf the slide 9|.

It is to be noted that with all the various embodiments of my invention illustrated. and described above it is possible to use cross-chains of uniform length. This is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 9 where the points of connection of the crosschains to the side chain and to the members II and 6 I, in each case, lie on an arcconcentric with the wheel. This obviates the necessity of providing shorter chains for connection to the tightening device. In Fig. 1, it will be observed that slots 49 and 43 and the aperture I9 all lieon-anarc "which is concentric with the arcuate member I I.

merit of the cross-chain hooks 4i and M.

.The samerelative arrangement of slots and aper- 'ture is provided in the structure shown in Figs. 7, Band 17. and 15 the adjusting and tightening device is not of arcuate form and consequently the slots and aperture forattachment of the cross-chains and In the construction shown in Figs. 9

side chain will lie on a straight line. However,

the aperture 64 is so close to the slot 65 that it lies approximately on an arc' concentric with the wheel and passing through the points of attach- As explained above, thetension of the spring tends to draw the tightening device toward the center of the wheel and this movement is limited by the cross-chains I 4 and M Such inward urge of the tightening device is the result of the effort of the side chain between the points A and B to assume a straight line.

If the aperture 64 were set on the upper side of the member l I instead of adjacent to the slot 65 such straight line position between points A and B might be satisfied without exerting any pull on the cross-chains M and I4 provided such cross-chains were of the same length as the" cross-chains Hi. It is for this rea- 'son that the aperture 64 is located substantially on an'arc concentric with the wheel and passing through the points of attachment of the hooks 4| and 44. In the case of the structure shown in Fig. 8 where the aperture i 9 is remote from the slot 4| the same arcuate disposition is maintained between said aperture andthe slots to which the hooks 4| and 44 are connected.

While I have described a number of embodiments of my invention it will be understood that these are to be taken as illustrative and not limitative and that I reserve the right to make such changes in form, construction, and arrangement of parts as may fall within the spirit and scope of I the following claims. 40

I'claim: 1. An adjusting and tightening device for tire chains, said device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation, a

" coiled spring engaged with spaced portions of said sliding members and tending normally, when under compression by said members, to urge said members into a co-extensive position relatively to each other, and means, supported upon one of said members, acting normally to engage the other member and thereby to lock said members together positively to prevent relative extension of said members,said members being adapted to interconnect the end portions of a side chain with adjacent cross-chains in a tire chain, and to be urged into said-locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said members respectively by said side chains and cross-chains when said tire chain is in use.

2. The combination with a tire chain embodying side chains and cross-chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relacoiled spring adapted to actuate said members slidingly to tighten said side chain when inplace upon a tire. 3; The combination with a tire chain embodying side chains and cross-chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation, one member of said pair having spaced regions of its body portion interconnected with two cross-chains and with the adjacent end of one of said side chains, and the other member of said pair having its opposite and adapted to be connected removable with the other end portion of said side chain, said members being movable slidingly to tighten said side chain, and also being adapted for relative angular movement into looking engagement with each other, and to be urged into said locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said members respectively by said side chains and cross-chains when said tire chain is in use, and a coiled spring to actuate said members.

4. The combination with a tire chain embodying side chains and cross-chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled inparallel sliding relation, one member of said pair having spaced regions of its body portion interconnected with two cross chains and with the adjacent end of one of said side chains, and the other member of said pair having its opposite end adapted to be connected removably with the other end portion of said side chain, said members being movable slidingly to tighten said side chain, and also being adapted for relative angular movement into looking engagement with each other, and to beurged into said locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said members respectively by said side chains and cross chains when. said tire chain is in use, the tightening action of said device being exerted at a region between only two adjacent cross-chains, while the adjustive efiect thereof is distributed throughout the cross-chain components, and a coiled spring to actuate said members.

5. The combination with a tire chain embodyingside chains and cross-chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a plurality of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation with a coiled actuating spring and interconnected with certain of said cross-chains and one of said side chains, said members being movable slidingly to tighten said side chain, and also being adapted for angular movement into locking relation with each other, and to be urged into said locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said members respectively by said side chain and cross chains when said tire chain is in use.

6. An adjusting and tightening device for tire chains, said device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation and provided with a coiled spring acting at its ends respectively upon spacedportions of said sliding members and tending normally to urge said members into a coextensive position relatively to each other, one of said members having a series of teeth, and a detent mounted to slide and rock upon one of said members and acting normally to engage certain of said teeth, thereby to prevent relative extension of said members at various regions of their sliding relationship,

'7. The combination with a tire chain embodying side chains and cross chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a plurality of elongated membersassembled in parallel sliding relation and provided with a coiled spring acting at its ends respectively upon spaced portions of said sliding membersv and tending normally to urge said members into j a, coextensive position relatively to each other, oneof said members being connected near one end to an end portion of one oi the side chains,,and the other member being adapted to be connected at its spaced end removably with the other end portion of said side chain, and one of said members being, connectedwith atleast one of saidcross chains, and

means uponpone of said members, acting normally to engage theiother member and thereby to; prevent positively relative extension of said members, saidmembers being arranged to move freely into said'coextensive position under the acting of said spring, to take up slack. in said side chain, and being urged into locking position by thestressesnormally exerted upon said members respectively by said side chains, and cross-chains.

8. An adjusting and tightening device for the sidechains and cross-chains of a tire chain, said devicecomprising a member adapted to be con- 'nected with an end of a side chain and also with a cross chain, a second member connected with the first memberwhereby it is adaptedto func- .tion after the manner of a cantilever with the first mentioned member asits support, said second member being slidablewith relation to the first member, and means adapted to effect an interlocking of said members against extension with respect to each other when tension is exerted in a direction tocause the-said second member to function. with: respect to the first member after the manner of a cantilever.

9., An adjusting and tightening device for the side chains and cross chains of a tire chain, said devicecomprising a'member adapted to be connected with an end of a side chain and also with a cross chain, a second member connected with the first member'whereby it is adapted .to function afterther manner of a cantilever with the first mentioned member as its support,.said second member being slidable with relation to the first member, means'adapted to effect an interlocking-of said members against extension with respectto each other when tension is exerted in a direction to cause the said second member to function with respect to the first member after the manner of a cantilever, and a spring con.-

necting said members and acting to urge said members into coextensive position. i

10. An. adjusting and tightening device for the side chains and cross-chains of a tire chain, said "device comprising a member adapted to be connected with an end of a side chain and also with a cross chain, a second member connected with the first member whereby it is adapted to function after the manner of a cantilever'with the first mentioned member as its support, said second member being slidable-with relation to the first memben'means adapted to effect an interlocking of saidmembersagainst extension with respect to eachother when tension is exerted a direction to cause the said second member to .functionwith respect to the first member after the manner of a cantilever, anda spring connecting saidmembers acting by expansion to urge said members into coextensive position.

11;. Anadjusting and tightening-device for tire chains, said device comprising a pair of members assembled insliding relation, said members being adapted to interconnect the end portions of a side chain with adjacent cross-chains and to be urged into an interlocked relation with each other and there maintained by the stresses normally exerted on said members respectively by said side chains and cross-chains when said tire chain is in use, to preventthe development of slack in the tire chain.

12., An adjusting and tightening device for tire chains, said device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled inparallel sliding relation, a

with two of the adjacent cross-chains, and said means being adapted to be urged into locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said members respectively by said side chains and cross-chains when said tire chain is in use.

13. An adjusting and tightening device for a tire chain embodying side chains and cross- .chains, said device comprising a tubular member having a closed end and an open end, a slide member adapted to slide in the tubular member, a cross head fixed to the outer end of the slide member providing a pair of opposed hooks, a tension spring secured at one end to the tubular membernear the closed end thereof, the oppo-site end of the spring being adapted to be hooked over one of said hooks, the other hook serving for detachable connection to one end of a side chain of the tire chain, means on the tubular member for interconnecting the other end of said side chain with a pair of the cross-chains, an abutment in the tubular member near the open endthereof, and ratchet teeth formed on the slide member and adapted to engage the abutment to prevent relative extension of the members, said spring serving to tilt the slide member on its inner end as a fulcrum and thereby press the toothed surface into engagement with saidabutment.

14. A device of the character described comprising an arcuate tubular member, an arcuate slide member freely slidable in the tubular member and alsocapable of limited oscillation with respect to the tubular member, said members being adaptedfor connection to opposite end portions of a tire chain, the slide being formed with outwardly inclined ratchet teeth along its inner arcuate surface, the tube being formed with an abutment to engage the teeth and prevent relative extension of the members, and a tension spring extending in chord'al direction and connecting the extremities of the members, said spring urging the members toward coextensive position and by reason of its chordal disposition urging the toothed surface of the slide against the abutment.

15. A device of the character described comprising an arcuate tubular member, an arcuate slide member freely slidable in the tubular member and also capable of limited oscillation with respect to the tubular member, said members being adapted for connection to opposite end portions of a tire chain, coacting ratchet means on the two members permitting movement of the members toward coextensive position but preventing relative extension thereof, a tension spring extending in chordal direction and connecting the extremities of the memberasaid of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation, one member of said pair having spaced regions of its body portion interconnected with two of the cross-chains and with the adjacent end of one of said side chains, the other member of said pair having its opposite end adapted to be connected with the other end portion of said side chain, others of the cross-chains being directly connected to said side chain, the points of connection of said end chain to said first named member and of the cross chains to said first named member and to said side chain all lying in substantially the same are when said tire chain is in use, a spring tending to slide the members in a direction to tighten said chains and take-up means for preventing relative extension of said members.

17. The combination with a tire chain embodying side chains and cross-chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a pair of elongated arcuate members assembled in parallel sliding relation, one of said pair having spaced regions of its body portion interconnected with two of said cross-chains and with the adjacent end of one of said side chains, the points of connection of the cross-chains and side chain with said member lying in an are substantially concentric with said arcuate members; the other member of said pair having its opposite end adapted to be detachably connected with the other end portion of said side chain, a spring tending to slide said members in a direction to tighten said side chain, and take-up means for preventing relative extension of said members.

18. The combination with a tire chain embodying side chains and cross-chains, of an adjusting and tightening device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation, one of the members being connected at one end to one of the side chains, the other member having its opposite end adapted for detachable connection with the other end portion of said chain, two of the cross-chains being connected to the first named member at spaced points thereon and others of the cross chains being connected directly to said side chain, the relative points of connection of the cross-chains and end chain to said first named member being such that cross-chains of uniform length may be employed throughout the tire chain, a spring tending to slide said members in a direction to tighten side chain, and take-up means for preventing relative extension of said memhere.

19. An adjusting and tightening device for a tire chain embodying side chains and cross chains, said device comprising a pair of relatively slidable parts adapted for connection respectively to the opposite ends ofone of said side chains between the points of attachment of the latter to two of the cross chains, a spring tending to draw the ends toward each other and toward a chordal line connecting said points, means for attaching the device to an intermediate one of the cross chains to restrain movement of said ends toward such chordal line, and take-up means on said parts cooperating to lock said parts against relative extension, said take-up means being urged into locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said parts by the side chain and said intermediate cross chain when the tire chain is in use, the points of connection of the device to said side chain and the intermediate cross chain being so related as to position that the latter may be of the same length as the rest of the cross chains.

20. An adjusting and tightening device for a tire chain embodying side chains and crosscha-ins, said device comprising relatively slidable parts adapted for connection respectively to the opposite ends of one of said side chains between the points of attachment of the latter to two of the cross-chains, a spring acting on said parts to draw said ends toward each other and toward a chordal line connecting said points, means for attaching the device to an intermediate pair of the cross-chains to restrain movement of said ends toward such chordal line, and take-up means cooperating to lock said parts against relative extension, said take-up means being urged into locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said parts by the side chain and said intermediate pair of cross-chains, the points of connection of the device to the side chain and the pair of intermediate cross-chains being so located that the latter may be of the same length as the rest of the cross-chains.

21. An adjusting and tightening device for a tire chain embodying side chains and crosschains, said device comprising relatively slidable parts adapted for connection respectively to the opposite ends of one of said side chains between the points of attachment of the latter to two of the cross-chains, a spring acting on said parts to draw said ends toward each other and toward a chordal line connecting said points,'means for attaching one of the parts to an intermediate pair of the cross-chains to restrain movement 01 said ends toward such chordal line, and take-up means cooperating to lock said parts against relative extension, said take-up means being urged into locking position by the stresses normally exerted upon said parts by the side chain and said intermediate pair of cross-chains, the points of connection of the device to the side chain and the pair of intermediate cross-chains being so located that the latter may be of the same length as the rest of the cross-chains.

22. An adjusting and tightening device for a tire chain assembly embodying side chains and cross-chains, said device comprising a pair of elongated members assembled in parallel sliding relation, means at one end of the device for attachment of an end of one of the side chains to one of the members, means at the other end of the device for attachment of the other end of the side chain to the adjacent end of the other member, a spring urging said members into coextensive position relatively to each other, ratchet teeth on one of the members, a shoulder on the other member at the end remote from its attachment to the side chain for engaging the ratchet teeth to lock the members against relative extension, and means on the shouldered member and on the end thereof adjacent said shoulder for attachment to a cross-chain of the tire chain.

JOHN R. REYBURN. 

